Coffee tables are frequently the central focus of a living area and therefore have a tremendous impact on a rooms decor and ambiance. A wise choice can create a feeling of style and harmony whilst a poor choice can make a room look disordered and can overwhelm the other furniture, making the room look smaller and feel less unified. The choices that you make regarding the size, shape, cost, material and style of the coffee table are thus vitally important to making your living room a welcoming space and setting the tone that you desire for your home. Before beginning your search for the perfect coffee table you should therefore work out what it is that you want from it. Do you want it to be purely ornamental- to create a modern and stylish statement, or are you more interested in its functions- do you plan to eat from it, place drinks on it, store magazines in it or use it as a display cabinet? You also need to consider the cost of any piece that you plan to purchase. It is often a good idea to set a maximum budget before you begin your search. This should prevent you from even considering purchases that you may later regret. Coffee tables can be bought as cheaply as twenty dollars, however they can also cost in the thousands. It is a good idea to have an idea of your budget so that you do not fall in love with a table that is far out of your reach.

Rectangular coffee tables are the most popular shape on the market currently and come in a variety of heights and forms. They can be used in small or large rooms and can often make a large impact in a big room where a very large coffee table is required so as to be accessible from all of the furniture. Similarly square coffee tables are excellent in larger rooms although they can overpower smaller spaces when not chosen with care. If you are buying a square coffee table be sure to mark out the floor area that will be covered to make sure that it will not overwhelm the room.